After reading the Curriculum 21 chapters about technology integration it really made me think of the importance of making lessons plans modern so they are engaging for students. Where students spend hours each day using technology through computers, iPods, video games, etc., that is what is most interesting for them. I do agree with Heidi Jacobs that a lot of the curriculum in schools today does not match the changing world. There are so many different ways to motivate students through using technology, that it is vital teachers do so.
As I stated before in a past post, the biggest challenge I feel is teachers having the technology resources readily available. I use the smart board and have the students get on to the computer whenever possible. However, sometimes the internet is not working or the computers are down which is very difficult for planning purposes. There is nothing more frustrating than getting students excited to use the classroom blog or play a review game on the smart board, then having technical difficulties so we have to do them pencil and paper. I also wish all of the students had their own computers so we could do a lot more technology activities. This next year I do want to give students more choice on projects by using podcasts and vcasts. My biggest challenge will be finding the time for students to share the computer.
Kathryn, access and connectivity issues seem to be some of the greatest hurdles for all of us! It is what creates the savage inequalities amongst the students of our state and across the nation. I wonder if we published the test scores along with data like whether there was one-to-one computing, or the student-teacher ratio, or what programs were being used, if that would give us more accurate and useful information. We ran into connectivity issues often at OTHS this year, especially since we added a new wing, and more individual students with their own computers. It will be an ongoing issue for schools, and like most, it comes down to money and what is affordable for school districts to keep up with the constant technological demands.
ReplyDeleteThese are the tools of the future...and the present and we do need access. More and more high schools are going to a BYOD (bring your own device) program but Maine hasn't needed to given the proliferation of MLTI. The elementary schools are another issue altogether...and frustrating not to have the support as you describe.
ReplyDeleteYes it is! Also, students aren't allowed to bring devices which connect to the internet!
ReplyDelete